Experimental Physics
Lab-to-Market

Context

The terahertz range has been barely exploited compared to the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum. Terahertz (THz) is located between the high frequency microwave region and long-wavelength far-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Scientists call it the "terhartz gap" due to difficulties related to emitting and detecting.

Terahertz has unique properties that makes it attractive to a wide range of applications in spectroscopy, sensing, imaging and communications.

An MIT experimental physics lab made a breakthrough discovery of a way to detect efficiently in terahertz. The innovation consist in both a material discovery and a photodetection mechanism development. The lab approached us to draft a plan to commercialize and spin off this technology.

Problem Statement

Although this is a significant breakthrough, further R&D is required into multiple areas in order to bring this technology to market. In addition, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding future market expectations and the technological development cycle. Given limited initial funding, how might we strategically commercialize this early-stage deep tech discovery to ensure long-term viability?

Process

Our approach was to systemically de-risk the commercialization of this venture by following this high level process:

1. Identifying key property characteristic and limitations of this technology
2. Identifying applications that share common requirements
3. Sequencing applications based on tech readiness and potential to unlock additional applications
4. Planning key research and commercialization activities for each prioritized application

Contribution

*Some elements have been omitted for confidentiality purposes*

Implementation

The lab is currently looking into the first steps of the commercialization process. We also facilitated key connections to labs working in adjacent areas which could accelerate the commercialization process.